This morning around about 6.30am I woke from a vivid dream in which my husband dies in a storm, in the dream, I was crying and couldn't breathe, I woke up gasping for air, but still in dream state, but I also saw white sparkles as well - these were real symptoms.

So, my question is should I go to the doctors as I really felt that I was suffocating and then I saw the sparkles/stars in my vision, could these be symptoms of a health problem???

Before I was diagnosed, I had them in my early youth up to my late 20's - I had them almost every night - these Night Terrors really caused my so much pain. Thankfully, I found some medications that actually work to reduce them and eventually eliminate them.

Yes, not being able to breath, trying to catching your breath, and vivid dreaming or nightmares that are so real, you start to wonder if they really did happen... are all common in Nocturnal Panic Attacks.

It is quite common for people with Anxiety and Panic attacks to have them while they are sleeping (as may studies are now confirming this connection).

I really feel for you, I know the TERROR that you feel, Hopefully yours was just only a rare one.

If you continue to have them - and I hope you Don't - but if you do, please write me back if they continue, maybe I might be able to offer some insights from own experiences.

If they become chronic, and you are having them in high frequency, there are many medical options that can halt or minimize these night terrors.

Thank you so much for your reply's, I honestly thought I was cracking it, my head rushes and headaches are getting less and less, I am still left with an off balance feeling and lightheadedness. My feeling of doom has eased as has butterflies in my stomach all the time!

But then this happens, why the sparkly vision - what is that all about and why did I wake up like I was suffocating????

But then this happens, why the sparkly vision - what is that all about and why did I wake up like I was suffocating????

For me, the explanation was low level of oxygen to my brain, which was later confirmed when I was tested for Sleep Apnea - they recorded my vitals overnight and found significant drop in oxygen to the my brain, which would makes sense if a panic attack is taking place while you are asleep....

Hope this helps... I would just make a journal and record your sleeping patterns for the next month to take it to your doctor's visit, that's what I ended up doing, that really helped.

Reference: Polysomnogram

A PSG is the most common sleep study for diagnosing sleep apnea. This study records brain activity, eye movements, heart rate, and blood pressure.

A PSG also records the amount of oxygen in your blood, air movement through your nose while you breathe, snoring, and chest movements. The chest movements show whether you're making an effort to breathe.

PSGs often are done at sleep centers or sleep labs. The test is painless. You'll go to sleep as usual, except you'll have sensors attached to your scalp, face, chest, limbs, and a finger. The staff at the sleep center will use the sensors to check on you throughout the night.

A sleep specialist will review the results of your PSG to see whether you have sleep apnea and how severe it is. He or she will use the results to plan your treatment.[/size]